USB Pen drive

Can't use any (and ive tried a few makes) usb flash drives in vista. I ve
upgraded my xp install with the visa business upgrade that comes in the
action pack. whenever i try a usb flash drive , it searches for a driver
then says error installed software for disk drive "parameter in incorrect" .
tried a clean install on another pc and all the usb sticks work. help !!
don't really want to wipe my pc.